Process To Install Ceramic Tile Shower

Finish each grid before moving to the next.

Process to install ceramic tile shower.

Put on mask and ear protection and as needed mark and cut a panel to fit using an angle grinder. Screw the starter board directly into the cement board and remove it after completing a series of panels. Using a circular saw cut panels to fit measured bathroom and use a jigsaw to cut holes as needed to accommodate the toilet and other bathroom fixtures. Measure your panels of cement backer board to fit the shower walls on each side.

In our project we installed the board on the shower wall at 72 1 2 from the top. A stand up shower needs twice as much tile which will add on another 2 000 3 000. Use tile nippers or a hole saw designed for tile to cut curves. Bathroom costs approximately 1 000 1 500 to demo and install new floor tile and tub surround.

Use bullnose for exposed edges or you can use trim pieces. Use a starter board as a straight edge whenever you do a vertical tile installation to ensure panels go in straight and level image 1. Your aim is to collapse any ridges in the mortar and fill in gaps. When the tile has set mix the grout for the shower walls.

Use a mix of 75 percent sanded grout and 25 percent non sanded grout. Use long sweeping motions to apply mortar to the wall and start placing your tiles in the marked locations. Be sure to put spacers between each tile as you go. The average 5 ft.

Smooth the cut edge. Keep a supply of wax rings on hand if you plan to reinstall the toilet at the end of each day. Sanded grout is difficult to get into small joints so adding non sanded grout helps thin it out so it can be applied more easily and aids application on walls. Start with the first tile in the corner of the grid and work outward.

Push your tile firmly into place. Attaching an underlayment of cement board to sub flooring provides a level and sturdy surface to which bathroom tile can be easily attached. Set tiles one at a time using a slight twisting motion. Stuff a rag in the hole to block sewer gases.

Occasionally lift a tile and check the back to ensure full coverage. Use spacers between the tile to make sure the gaps are consistent. First get the toilet out of your way. Begin installing tiles in the center of the room one grid at a time.

Gently press the tile into the wet thinset twisting the tile back and forth to press it deeper into the thinset. Use a tile cutter to just score the length of the tile and press firmly to cut. Install a 4 mil plastic vapor barrier according to manufacturer instructions just above the shower pan before installing the cement backer board.